You are here

Corporate plan 2018-19

I am pleased to introduce the fifth corporate plan for the Climate Change Authority.

The Authority’s role is to provide rigorous, independent, and balanced advice to the Minister responsible for climate change, and the Australian Parliament, on climate change matters by undertaking reviews and other research tasks.

The Climate Change Authority Corporate Plan 2018–19 has been prepared to meet the requirements of paragraph 35(1)(b) of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and Division 8 of the Climate Change Authority Act 2011.

The plan covers the four years from 2018-19 to 2021-22.

This is the Authority’s sixth year of operation and once again, it has been a year of many achievements.

In December 2017, the Authority released its Review of the Emissions Reduction Fund.

In April 2018, the Authority published a research report, Reaping the Rewards.

The Authority’s Review of the National Wind Farm Commissioner was finalised in May 2018.

The corporate plan, Portfolio Budget Statements and annual report are the core elements of the Commonwealth Government’s performance framework. The corporate plan is developed at the beginning of the reporting cycle and sets out the Authority’s strategies for achieving its purpose and how success will be measured.

In line with its functions, the Authority will focus on the following activities over the four years from 2018–19 to 2019–20.

Complete review of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting legislation by December 2018.

Complete review of the Carbon Credits legislation by December 2020.

Complete other Special Reviews as requested by the Government or Parliament.

Identify and undertake self-generated research on climate change matters.

In all of its work, the Authority seeks to embody its core principles and values of independence, broad stakeholder engagement, excellence in research and analysis, transparency, good governance and accountability, and building staff capacity. These core principles and values are set out in more detail in this plan.

The Authority is supported by an expert secretariat. I thank them for their continued hard work, good humour and commitment to excellence.

The Climate Change Authority’s objective is to provide rigorous, independent and balanced advice to the Minister responsible for climate change, and the Australian Parliament, on climate change policy, in order to improve the quality of life for all Australians.

The Authority does this by conducting regular and specifically commissioned reviews and by undertaking research on climate change matters.

The Authority’s functions are set out in its enabling legislation, the Climate Change Authority Act 2011. These include:

conducting reviews and making recommendations on the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 and National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007—these review requirements are established in legislation

conducting reviews and making recommendations on other matters as requested by the Minister responsible for climate change, or the Australian Parliament

undertaking its own independent research and analysis into climate change and other matters relevant to its functions.

The Authority is a non-corporate statutory body located in the Environment and Energy portfolio.

The Authority is an advisory body. It does not administer government programs or regulation.

The Authority has identified the following organisational principles and values, which guide how it conducts its business.

Independence

The Authority operates independently under its own legislation, budget allocation and staff. We demonstrate independence and balance in thinking and action. Our advice is based on our own research and judgements.

Broad and positive stakeholder engagement

The Authority takes account of all available inputs and perspectives by engaging with a wide range of stakeholders and other contributors with an interest in climate change policy and related matters.

We consult the public on every review, consistent with the requirements of our legislation.

Excellence in research and analysis

The credibility of the Authority relies on the quality of its research, analysis and reporting. The Authority undertakes thorough research and analysis through detailed planning, drawing on the best available knowledge, and applying highly skilled resources to the task.

We have a skilled workforce with a broad range of experience and established links to relevant expert local and international organisations.

Transparency

The Authority operates in an open and transparent way. It has an obligation to publish its reports. Those reports are a result of reviewing and synthesising existing materials, engaging stakeholders and undertaking research to generate original reporting, analysis and advice.

Good governance and accountability

We maintain the highest standards of accountability and governance.

The Authority is subject to the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 and the Public Service Act 1999, and has specific additional governance requirements under the Climate Change Authority Act 2011.

Build staff capacity

Staff is the Authority’s most valuable resource. For the Authority to succeed, the staff must also develop.

The Authority provides all staff with the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge through formal training and other development opportunities.

The Authority’s activities over the reporting period will focus on completing reviews of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting and Carbon Credits legislation as well as other Special Reviews as requested by the Government or Parliament. It will identify and undertake self-generated research on climate change matters.

The environment in which the Authority is operating has shifted since its establishment in 2012 and is uncertain.

The Authority’s talented and capable staff are its core asset. There is a risk that uncertainty will affect the Authority’s ability to retain staff and deliver its work plan.

As a small agency, the Authority partners with other Commonwealth agencies to provide corporate services.

The Authority undertakes its work within a strong governance framework, including meeting governance requirements under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.

The Authority has a Risk Management Framework to drive a positive risk management culture. The framework complies with the requirements of the Commonwealth Risk Management Policy 1 July 2014 and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013.

This corporate plan covers the four years from July 2018 to June 2022. Government policy is that the Authority be wound up within the life of the current Parliament. So this plan focuses mainly on the Authority’s activities for the 2018–19 and 2019–20 financial years.

In line with its functions, the Authority will focus on the following activities.

Activity 1: Complete reviews of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting and Carbon Credits legislation

The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 establishes a single national reporting framework for greenhouse gas emissions and companies’ energy consumption and production. The legislation also supports the safeguard mechanism, which sets limits on the emissions of large businesses.

The Authority commenced planning and preliminary work on the review in late 201718. A consultation paper was released in July 2018. The review is due by 31 December 2018.

The Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 underpins the Emissions Reduction Fund. In 2020, the Authority will begin work on its third review of the Carbon Credits legislation. The review must be completed by 31 December 2020.

Activity 2: Other reviews requested by the Government or Parliament

In 201819 and for the remaining three work periods, the Authority may be asked to perform other Special Reviews by the Government or Parliament.

For example, in 201718, the Government requested the Authority undertake a review of the National Wind Farm Commissioner.

Activity 3: Self generated research and analysis

During the life of this corporate plan, the Authority will identify and undertake its own research on climate change matters.

For example, in April 2018, the Authority released a research report on ways to improve on-farm profitability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the land while conserving the natural environment.

The environment in which the Authority is operating has shifted since its establishment in 2012 and is uncertain.

Government policy is to wind up the Authority during the life of the current Parliament. This would require changes to the Authority’s enabling legislation. It is unclear when these changes will occur. The Authority is funded until the end of the 2018–19 financial year. The Government has said it will consider funding for the Authority on an annual basis.

Considering the operating environment, Table 1 summarises the Authority’s ability to control factors that will influence its activities and performance over the four years to June 2022.

The Capability and Risk sections also consider the implications of the uncertain environment.

Staffing

The Authority relies on its staff to undertake the research and analysis that supports its reviews and reports. Their expertise and professionalism is critical to both the production of high-quality reports, and building and maintaining good stakeholder relationships.

The Authority secretariat currently consists of an acting Chief Executive Officer leading nine staff.

The Authority encourages employees to undertake learning and development to build up competencies relevant to their roles. The Authority has a study assistance policy that sets out the assistance provided to staff for learning and development opportunities. The policy provides financial and leave assistance to its staff enrolled in study or training that is relevant to the operational needs of the agency. Each staff member has the opportunity to identify and access appropriate training through the Authority’s Performance and Development Program.

The Authority also provides one-on-one coaching to address particular development needs and extensive on the job training.

Shared services arrangements

The Authority maintains agreements for the provision of corporate services with the Industry portfolio and the Department of the Environment and Energy.

The Industry arrangement covers the provision of finance, payroll and human resources systems and support. This arrangement is similar to the one that was in place when the Authority was part of the Industry portfolio.

The Environment arrangement provides information technology systems and support, and some corporate support including legal, freedom of information, budget coordination and some travel services.

These arrangements are performed on a fee-for-service basis. They are appropriate for a small agency, in line with the Government’s shared services agenda, and provide continuity in an uncertain environment.

TABLE 1: FACTORS WITHIN THE CLIMATE CHANGE AUTHORITY’S CONTROL

FACTORS – GREATER INFLUENCE

FACTORS – PARTIAL INFLUENCE

FACTORS – LITTLE INFLUENCE

Providing Authority members with sound advice on which to make decisions

Preparing research reports that are clear, evidence based and well-constructed

Conduct of research

Meeting deadlines for legislative reviews

Consulting effectively with stakeholders

Working with other Commonwealth agencies

Recruiting and managing staff

Effective governance including audit

Effective measures to address risk and fraud

Authority business operations including shared services arrangements

Budget allocations

Influence of reviews and research on governments and other stakeholders

Good governance

The Authority has a strong governance framework. To ensure it complies with governance requirements under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, the Authority will continue to:

ensure that delegations for human resources and finances are appropriate

ensure there is control and oversight to deal with fraud and risk

maintain an Audit Committee

educate its staff to apply APS Code of Conduct and Values on a day-to-day basis

Risks

The Authority maintains a risk management framework and policy, which are updated regularly and reviewed by its Audit Committee.

Table 2 sets out the Authority’s high-level strategic risks for the reporting period, along with risk ratings and mitigation strategies. Risk treatments and treatment owners are outlined in the Authority’s risk register, which is updated regularly. Individual work initiatives such as major procurements also have targeted risk strategies.

TABLE 2: CLIMATE CHANGE AUTHORITY STRATEGIC RISKS

RISK TYPE

RISK DESCRIPTION

LIKELIHOOD, CONSEQUENCE AND RATING

MITIGATION STRATEGIES

Managing financial resources

Uncertainty about the Authority’s future and funding compromises delivery of work program

Minister responsible for climate change or Parliament requests a Special Review putting pressure on resources

Provide expert advice to the Australian Government on climate change mitigation initiatives, including through conducting regular and specifically commissioned reviews and through undertaking climate change research.

Outcome strategy

The Authority will deliver influential, independent and expert advice by:

engaging stakeholders to gather information and debate policy options

undertaking extensive and rigorous research and analysis

presenting insightful and practical reports

operating within a strong governance and accountability framework.

In undertaking its reviews, the Authority must take the following principles into account:

economic efficiency

environmental effectiveness

equity

the public interest

the impact on households, business, workers and communities

support the development of an effective global response to climate change

Australian foreign policy and trade objectives.

The Authority must also consult publicly when conducting its reviews and publish its reports on its website.

Delivery strategies

The Authority will deliver on its legislative obligations by preparing timely, high-quality reviews by:

undertaking thorough policy development and analysis, including desktop research and analysis into relevant issues

conducting in-depth analysis into relevant sectors and contemporary research

commissioning other analytical work (for example, economic modelling) where required

conducting meaningful and transparent consultation with experts and stakeholders, including business, industry, environment and other community groups

monitoring developments in climate change policy by reviewing publicly available resources and building networks with expert, local and international organisations.

The secretariat will facilitate the Authority’s
decision-making by:

arranging regular meetings of the Authority

providing briefing, reports and other supporting documentation that are fit-for-purpose and of a high quality

Performance criteria

The Authority will assess its performance against the following criteria:

The Authority’s advice is timely, high quality, well-received by stakeholders, and used in public policy forums and discussions.

The Authority’s public consultation processes are transparent, accessible and highly regarded by stakeholders.

The Authority’s secretariat supports effective decision-making by the Authority.

Our performance framework as well as our approach to performance measurement and assessment are set out in Figure 1 and Table 2.